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Marty McSorley was twisting and turning in an optional practice for the Rangers here this afternoon, and said afterward that he felt no pain from the groin injury that has kept him out of the series with the Canadiens.

The defenseman, who also plays wing, will bring size, strength and experience to the Rangers when he returns, which could be for Game 5 Friday night. His return would be another sign that the Rangers are eetting stronger and healthier as the series with Montreal progresses.

I feel pretty good," McSorley said after the practice, which followed the Rangers' 4-3 triumph in Montreal Tuesday night. The series is tied, 2-2.

"I got a pretty good read on it today," McSorley said of the groin strain he suffered against Philadelphia on April 4 and hurt further by coming back early. "I will go full tilt tomorrow and see how it responds."

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Sergei Nemchinov, who missed the two victories in Montreal with a cut behind his right leg sustained in Game 2, had the stitches taken out today, but he didn't skate. The Rangers said Nemchinov had treatment this morning, that he would practice Thursday and that his condition would be evaluated then.

Beukeboom Optimistic

Although the Rangers lost the first two games of the series at Madison Square Garden, defenseman Jeff Beukeboom is one player who believes the Rangers have an edge there.

"We have the advantage because of our fans," Beukeboom said. "All we have to do is stay positive and work hard. We've forced ourselves into upping our game to the next level and we've gained some confidence."

A version of this article appears in print on April 25, 1996, on Page B00018 of the National edition with the headline: 1996 N.H.L. PLAYOFFS: RANGERS NOTEBOOK;McSorley Practices With No Pain. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe